UAE to host premier amateur Nomura Cup for the first time

Joy Chakravarty 09:08 09/09/2015
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  • High hopes: The UAE national team.

    One of the world’s most prestigious amateur team events, the Nomura Cup, will be held in the Middle East for the first time when it is played at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi from October 22-25.

    Twenty-two leading countries have already entered the much anticipated tournament, with the field expected to expand to 30 teams in the coming weeks, which would represent a record for the long-established event.

    The Arab nations have shown great support for the four-day strokeplay tournament and the UAE will be joined by Jordan, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia at the stunning Kyle Phillips-designed course.

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    Adel Zarouni, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) said: “As we get ever closer to the Nomura Cup, it is very gratifying for us at the Emirates Golf Federation to see that the number of countries which have confirmed the entries of their teams has risen to 22 and is still, hopefully, rising.

    “It is also encouraging that all the golf-playing Arab nations have committed to compete.

    “The ever increasing interest in the Nomura Cup demonstrates the rapidly rising growth of golf throughout Asia and among the Arab states.

    “I am sure Nomura Cup is going to be a ground-breaking event that will not only create greater involvement in amateur golf globally, but it will also provide the opportunity for the UAE to showcase the emirates as a true worldwide golfing destination.

    “I’m certain that Nomura Cup will also show that the UAE not only plays the perfect host to some of the greatest professional tournaments in world golf, but that it is also able to stage international amateur events and spotlight the importance of effective and well-run junior golf programmes.”

    The Nomura Cup was first played in 1963 as a tri-nation tournament in the Philippines when the host nation took on Japan and China. Today, there are 39 member countries affiliated to the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, supported by the R&A. 

    The biennial tournament has been dominated by Australia, who have won the Cup 10 times and Japan, who are seven-time winners.

    The Aussies successfully defended their title at the 2013 Nomura Cup at Santiburi Country Club in Thailand, and they will be fielding another strong team in Abu Dhabi along with Japan, China and Korea.

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